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About the Role

We are looking for a full-time Equine Receptionist & Administrator (Maternity Cover) to join our friendly and dedicated office team, supporting our veterinary clinicians in delivering exceptional care and service to our clients.

Are you passionate about providing outstanding customer service and thrive in a fast-paced, animal-focused environment? We are seeking a friendly, organised, and confident individual to take on this pivotal front-of-house role.

As the first point of contact for our clients, you will play an important part in ensuring the smooth day-to-day running of the practice, supporting both our veterinary team and horse owners with a professional, efficient, and welcoming service.

Working Hours

Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm.

Flexibility to work additional hours when required to support the needs of the practice.

Key Responsibilities

Answer and manage incoming telephone calls and client enquiries professionally and efficiently.
Schedule appointments and coordinate veterinary visits.
Provide administrative support to the veterinary team.
Maintain accurate client records and process relevant documentation.
Handle payments and general reception duties.
Deliver exceptional customer service at all times.
Support the wider office team with day-to-day administrative tasks.
Ensure all client interactions reflect the values and high standards of the practice.

About Langford Vets Equine Practice

Langford Vets Equine Practice is located in the beautiful Somerset countryside.

As a subsidiary of the University of Bristol, we are a commercial veterinary business providing services across a wide range of animal species and disciplines, while also helping to educate and train future generations of veterinary professionals.

We are a dynamic and innovative organisation committed to excellence in every aspect of our work. We pride ourselves on being a positive, inclusive, and supportive workplace where our people can thrive. Our success is driven by talented and dedicated individuals who work collaboratively to deliver outstanding care and service.

About You

The ideal candidate will be:

Motivated, diligent, organised, and efficient, with a professional and friendly manner.
Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office applications.
Experienced in administrative work, with excellent attention to detail.
Able to manage time effectively and prioritise workloads independently.
Numerate, self-motivated, and confident using their own initiative.
Adaptable and able to thrive in a busy, fast-paced environment.
Calm under pressure and capable of multitasking effectively.
Knowledgeable about horses and ponies and comfortable working within an equine environment.
Committed to delivering excellent customer service.A positive, proactive, flexible, and reliable team member with a strong work ethic.

Desirable Skills and Experience

Previous experience working within a veterinary practice.
Familiarity with veterinary practice management systems.
Experience in an equine-related role or environment.

Benefits and wellbeing

Our people are at the heart of what we do and as your employer we want to ensure we offer flexibility, support and staff development, where possible, through:

Time off
- 6.6 weeks holiday per year, inclusive of bank holidays
- Additional holiday entitlement for Long Service

Wellbeing
- On site Mental Wellbeing Champions
- EDI committee
- Employee Forum – to ensure all employees voices can be heard
- Menopause Café
- Wellbeing talks and events
- Cycle to work scheme
- Family friendly policies, including enhanced maternity and paternity pay (after 2 years’ service)

Health
- SimplyHealth Cashplan membership
- Free annual flu vaccination
- Free Specsavers eye test voucher

General
- Free onsite parking
- U2 bus service link to Bristol
- Annual CPD allowance
- Employee discount
- Generous pension scheme – we match up to 8% pension contributions
- Reimbursement of one professional membership fee per year

Why Join Us?

At Langford Vets, you'll become part of a supportive and collaborative team that is passionate about delivering outstanding veterinary care.

We value our employees and are committed to creating an environment where individuals can develop professionally, contribute meaningfully, and enjoy coming to work.

How to Apply

If this role sounds like the right fit for you, don’t delay, click ‘Apply’ and begin your career with Langford Vets.

Closing date: Sunday 27th September 2026

Interviews: week commencing 5th October

Contract: Full-time, fixed-term (maternity cover)

Location: Stables Equine Practice, Conkerfield, Pennybatch Lane, Wookey, Somerset, BA5 1NH

We are committed to providing equal opportunities and creating an inclusive workplace. We believe diversity strengthens our workforce and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences and cultures.

Responsibilities

Job purpose

Job Title: Equine Receptionist/Administrator
Reports To: Practice Manager
Contract: Fixed-Term Maternity Cover
Job Holder:

Job purpose:

The Equine Receptionist & Administrator is responsible for providing a professional, friendly, and efficient front-of-house service to clients, visitors, and colleagues.

As the first point of contact for The Stables Equine Practice, the post holder will deliver exceptional customer service while ensuring the smooth day-to-day operation of reception and administrative functions. The role will provide vital support to the veterinary team through effective communication, accurate record keeping, appointment coordination, and general administrative assistance.

The post holder will contribute to creating a welcoming environment for clients and their horses while maintaining the high standards of service expected of Langford Vets.

The role requires a proactive, organised, and adaptable individual who can manage multiple priorities in a busy equine veterinary practice and work collaboratively as part of a wider team.

Principle Accountabilities: These lists are not exhaustive but include the main tasks.

1. Reception Work

To meet and greet clients, visitors, suppliers etc who come to the practice.
To ensure that the reception and waiting area is maintained in a tidy state at all times.
To book in appointments as requested and ensure vets are aware of calls.
Take payments, entering on Practice Management system and assist clients with any queries.
To liaise clearly and appropriately with the vets and team regarding clients or visitors.
To ensure the diary is kept up to date.
To ensure all client information is correct.
To deal with any problems that arise for all visitors to the practice.
Passport information is entered on animal history and Section IX checked/collated when clients in clinic with horses.
Equipment is entered on appointments and available, liaising with the vets if conflict/need to handover.
Prepare client requests for medications and prescriptions.

2. Telephone answering

To answer calls in a timely, pleasant and friendly manner, to deal with each request or redirect where appropriate.
To make sure all messages are forwarded to the relevant member of the team and ensure any follow up required is actioned.
To book appointments as needed, notifying vets if the same day.
To register new clients and ensure first payment/payment details are taken and welcome pack sent.
To contact referral practices and clients as requested.
To handle a wide range of queries and action as appropriate.
Ensure the veterinary team are supported, lab results/messages delivered, equipment is booked out and clinic ready for clients.
Ensure all voicemails and missed calls are dealt with the same day.

3. Administrative tasks

To maintain the equipment within the office ie, printers, photocopier.
To support the marketing team with relevant articles and information.
Ensure that all client correspondence and queries are dealt with in a timely manner and communication channels kept open.
Prepurchase examinations liaising with purchaser and vendor, collate information and pass to the vet, take pre-payment and ensure vetting certificate is on history and sent to the client.
Prepare and send reports as and when requested.
Raise charge sheets for any medications dispensed to clients and lab fees.
Liaising between the vet and referral hospital.
Assisting when necessary on SEP client events.
Proactively identify and act upon opportunities for business improvement. Openly identify and discuss problems in order to implement and sustain improvements that increase the value we deliver to our, clients, employees, and students.
Responsible for keeping themselves and others safe, reporting accidents, near misses and hazards and adhering to health and safety requirements and policies as required by the business/their line manager.

All staff are expected to undertake such other appropriate tasks as may be assigned from time to time.

Person Specification

The skills, abilities, experience and knowledge outlined below provide a summary of what is required to carry out this job effectively.

Essential	Desirable
Excellent organisational skills	Minimum of three years’ experience in a customer focused role
Good numeracy and literacy skills	Previous experience in a veterinary environment
Computer skills, including the use of Microsoft Word, Excel and outlook	RSA or typewriting or Word Processing Previous
Education to GCSE level or equivalent to include English and preferably maths
Office experience in a busy environment
Office experience in a busy environment
Team player
Excellent customer interactions, both on the telephone and in person
Able to show empathy
Be available to cover reception between 08.30 and 17.30
To have flexibility to provide emergency cover on occasions
Eligible to work in the UK